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I adapt my pilgrimages to the particular group I am leading. For some, the journey is an exploration of the Divine Feminine in its ancient and Christian manifestations; neolithic archaeology is a prime focus for these trips, but so is the role of Mary in the history of the Maltese islands. For others, the pilgrimage is a specifically Christian journey with a focus on the sites associated with St. Paul, with the Knights of St. John, or with sites associated with miracles such as the Basilica of Ta' Pinu. There are also pilgrimages focusing on Holy Week in Malta, Christmas in Malta etc. Let me know what you are looking for and I will design a pilgrimage that will fit you needs and delight your group.  Explorations of the Divine Feminine in Malta
This journey takes us to the heart of the Mediterranean, to the Maltese archipelago, situated some 60 miles south of Sicily and 200 miles north of Tunisia. Here, on the islands of Malta and Gozo, the remains of some 30 megalithic sites have been identified; pre-dating Stonehenge by 1,500 years, stand the oldest known temples in the world. Some have suggested that the islands themselves were sacred islands, sites of “the old religion” in which fertility, death and re-birth were venerated. Here, 6,000 years ago, the ancient ones charted the stars, calculated the movement of sunlight, dreamed dreams and carved spirals. We visit the temples as pilgrims and scholars, not as tourists. Our task is to experience the temples first hand, to interpret the stones, to connect with the same energy that inspired the ancients; we attempt to reconstruct the belief system and sacred stories we find reflected there. Together, we meditate and engage in creative visualization. Lectures by professors from the University of Malta on the astronomical significance of the temples and on fertility religion and death cults in Malta enrich our journey. Together, we ask questions concerning ultimate meaning and the religious imagination.... For more information on The Divine Feminine, please go to YouTube and enter Elizabeth-Anne Stewart; this will flesh out what I have outlined in this paragraph.
In the Footsteps of St. Paul
As pilgrims, we follow the story of Christianity on the islands. St Paul, shipwrecked off Malta in 60 C.E. and imprisoned there for several months, was instrumental in converting Malta from Roman religion to Christianity. We visit Roman sites and sites traditionally associated with his stay on the island – St. Paul’s Grotto, where he was imprisoned; St. Paul’s Bay, where he was shipwrecked; St. Paul’s Catacombs etc. We reflect on his journey and on the impact his stay left on the Maltese people. In addition, we examine the rich 2,000 year legacy of Christianity on the islands: the heritage of the Knights of St. John, the marvellous baroque cathedrals and churches; the simple wayside chapels; saints, fireworks and pageantry during village festas; shrines with miraculous powers… This is a journey of faith, a retreat with scripture study and group prayer as part of the experience.... And here is a description of Holy Week in Malta, excerpted from Sunday BibleTalk: MALTA PILGRIMAGE, HOLY WEEK 2006
Greetings, Friends! This year I celebrated Easter in Malta. In between family festivities, I took to streets and churches to immerse myself in the Eastertide pageantry and rituals. On Holy Thursday, each village had its own Apostles' Table -- huge table settings in commemoration of the Last Supper with each plate a work of art in beans, lentils, grain and rice. Some of the plates were simply abstract mandalas; others were amazing replicas (on a smaller scale) of religious art of great artists. There were also miniature versions of the stations of the cross as well as life size tableaux depicting the crucifixion and Christ's burial chamber. In every church across the island, elaborate altars of repose complete with red damask cloth, plants and grasses of every kind, amazing displays of solid silver candelabra and solid silver statues beckoned worshippers. The tradition is that the faithful must say two stations of the cross at each church between Holy Thursday evening and noon on Good Friday. The silver dazzled, the fragrance of flowers and spices was heady, and the piety of the people was tangible; the immense wealth of the Maltese church was overwhelming, rather discomforting, in fact. Personally, I found the display of passion scenes in the windows of humble houses to be more moving. Flags hung at half mast, black mourning cloths were draped from private balconies; the mood everywhere was sombre, funereal. On Good Friday, so many people were on the roads to fulfill their devotions that it was hard making the journey from one church to the next; only a football game or rock star could have attracted such crowds.... On Good Friday evening came the elaborate processions. Countless villagers played the part of Roman soldiers, both on foot and on horse back, of characters from the Hebrew scriptures who prefigured the Christian story (Isaac, for example, representing the sacrificial lamb, or Jonah, with his big fish, reminding us of Jesus' three days in the tomb) and, of course, the host of characters from the Passion Story. Enormous tableaux depicting the 14 Stations of the Cross -- each weighing several tons and very graphic, in keeping with Mel Gibson's The Passion -- were each carried through the streets by as many as 12 men. The drum beat was incessant; the marching band played music which wrenched at the heart strings; and the crowds watched with all the fervour which could have been evoked by the historical events themselves, 2000 years ago. Towards the end of the procession came the penitents, vested in white hoods and albs, some dragging crosses, some walking on their knees, most barefoot. Here, sin was sin, not something to be rationalized away or denied. In the church squares, all the public buildings were covered in small white lights to illuminate the seemingly endless processions and the bells tolled ... On Easter Saturday, there was fever in the air as the churches were stripped of their mourning robes. People were out on the streets, washing their cars, shopping, cleaning the windows to their homes. There was a sense of preparation, of expectation.... Yellow flowers bloomed everywhere, seemingly in cooperation with liturgical events. Everything was golden and gleaming, budding and fragrant.... Then, Easter Sunday, a glorious 75oF day, flags flew from every building -- the national flag (red and white) and the papal flag (yellow and white). Fireworks and petards exploded with regularity; church bells rang triumphantly. From every balcony, people dropped confetti and let go of balloons as a life size statue of the risen Christ was danced through the streets, in time to the waltz music played by the local marching band. Easter-egg clutching children were carried on their parents' shoulders, as young and old alike walked behind the statue, their mourning literally being turned to dancing... It was good to be home, good to celebrate my roots and to experience a rather different Holy Week than I have been accustomed to. If you would like further information about my Holy Week Pilgrimages or want to be on my pilgrimage mailing list, please let me know. You can reach me at
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And of course we will do more than join in processions and listen to marching bands! There is the magical island of Gozo, the awe-inspiring neolithic temples, the legacy of the Knights of St John...Details upon request...
- Elizabeth
Logistics
Throughout our stay in Malta, we will have the benefit of a wonderful guide with whom I have also worked extensively in the past; married to a historian from the University of Malta, Margaret Frendo is herself an expert on Maltese history, traditions and culture. As we plan this trip together, we will ensure that you are thoroughly immersed in the Maltese experience and that you will see and taste slices of Maltese life that many tourists miss altogether. While Margaret will provide historical background on site, my task will be to 1) prepare you for this journey before the trip, through online informational/educational sessions 2) to provide spiritual interpretation of archaeological data and of local traditions and customs 3) to lead meditations, facilitate group discussions and serve as a spiritual guide along the way, especially in terms of our observance of liturgical seasons.
We will also be in the good hands of Sacred Island Tours/Gollcher Travel which will organize all our transportation needs and hotel accommodation at a hotel, right on the seafront in Sliema. Long walks along the seafront await you each day, if you so choose; we will be close to shopping and nightlife, as well as to plenty of restaurants.
The cost for 12 days in Malta, including airfares, hotels, all group transportation, hotel accommodation, guides, museums, university lecturers, my stipend and group tips is roughly $3,500.00. Shorter stays will obviously cost less and winter trips are considerably cheaper than those in "peak tourist season."
Sample December Programme
DAY ONE: Full day tour of Valletta, the capital city built by the Knights of St. John in the C16th. This will include the Upper Barakka Gardens, St. John's Co-Cathedral, Grand Master's Palace and Armoury, the Museum of Archaeology and the audio-visual event, The Malta Experience.
DAY TWO: Morning and afternoon free: time for rest and leisure; evening lecture by Dr Anthony Bonanno - The Maltese Temples in Perspective. This will be followed by time set aside for group process and reflection.
DAY THREE: Full day tour of the island of Gozo including Ggantija Neolithic Temples, Ta' Pinu Sanctuary (a shrine devoted to Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu and honouring the miracles that happened through her intercession), the ancient Citadel and Gozo Crafts Village. Late afternoon return. Free evening.
DAY FOUR: A public holiday, which means, everything will be closed, including shops; in the evening, we will attend a splendid festa at Cospicua Village.
DAY FIVE: Morning tour of Tarxien Neolithic Temples, Ghar Dalam pre-historic cave and Kordin Neolithic Temples; lunch in a Maltese fishing village. Afternoon is free; then in the evening, Dr. Frank Ventura will lecture on the astronomical significance of Mnajdra Temples.
DAY SIX: Pre-dawn departure to see the sunrise at Mnajdra Temples; group meditation on site; Hagar Qim Temples and Misqa Water Tanks (Neolithic water reservoirs); The Blue Grotto, weather permitting. Afternoon and evening are free.
DAY SEVEN: Optional Liturgy at St. John's Co-Cathedral; breakfast at Cordina’s as a time for group processing. Rest of the day is free.
DAY EIGHT: Full day tour of the quaint city of Mdina; St. Agatha's Catacombs in Rabat, Ta' Qali Crafts Village, ancient mysterious cart tracks and Dingli Cliffs.
DAY NINE: In search of St. Paul and a day of Advent reflection: St Paul’s Grotto and Catacombs in Rabat, the Roman Villa and Roman baths, St. Paul’s Bay; Mosta Church; St Publius’ Church.
DAY TEN: Half Day tour of the Three Cities; visit to the Hypogeum, an underground, multi-level temple complex.
DAY ELEVEN: Free day; evening social at the hotel.
DAY TWELVE: departure from the sacred islands to the U.S.
Application Process
If this trip seems right for you and if you can afford to come, then please email me at
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so that I can send you the application form. The pilgrimage will be limited to 20 participants, with preference given to those who clearly want more than a holiday in the Mediterranean, and who are eager to embrace both the spiritual and academic dimensions of this travel opportunity. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have, and look forward to hearing from you... |
